Every September, the Road Runners Club of America hosts RUN@WORK Day – an effort that encourages people to run at least 30 minutes before work, during the workday or immediately following work as a way to increase physical activity in the workplace and engage people in fun runs and walks across the country.

I can’t think of anything more I’d rather do than leave my desk or computer and go for a run!

RUN@WORK Day is the third Friday in September each year.

As runners and athletes, I think we should all be advocates for healthy choices, physical activity and group support in our communities. For those of you who work, here are some of my ideas for engaging your company and coworkers in some running fun. You can rally your colleagues to participate this Friday, or use RUN@WORK Day to start planning for something big for the upcoming year.

• Get a group of coworkers together for RUNch. Use your lunch hour to go for a group run near your office for 30 to 60 minutes. If your office doesn’t have shower facilities, bring baby/body wipes to freshen up with after so you don’t stink up the place upon your return. Or, just be unladylike and go back to your desk covered in sweat and tell your colleagues it is better than being sedentary. (Get permission from your boss so you don’t blame me if you get in trouble *wink.*)
• Get permission from your boss or human resources department to encourage employees to wear running shoes with their business attire, or better yet, running clothes to work. This will raise awareness about running and encourage more people to think about doing it.
• Connect with an expert at your local running store or running club to come to your office to give a lunch and learn talk about running. Everyone can bring their lunch while they listen to a local running expert talk about topics like proper running form, nutrition, how to train for your first 5K, etc. Get creative with it.
• Bring running-related snacks and treats to the office to host an aid-station snack break and encourage your fellow colleagues to go for a run. This might include oranges, bananas, GUs/chews, bottled water, sports drinks, etc.
• Email/provide running routes that start at your office (if you work in a safe area) spanning a variety of distances to your coworkers so they can think about incorporating more running into their days. You may also consider sharing training plans and local race dates, too.
• If you have a one-on-one meeting with a colleague, have your meeting while jogging instead of while sitting at your desk. Run/walk at an easy pace and get active while you talk.
• Use RUN@WORK Day to initiate a running challenge or 5K training program at your company for employees that kicks off on this special day.

Also check out some of these other fun ideas from Brooks Running: http://talk.brooksrunning.com/2013/09/16/5-ways-to-celebrate-run-at-work-day/

Are you participating in RUN@WORK Day on Friday? If so, tell us how? What other creative ideas do you have to incorporate more running into the work day?